FSRU Golar Freeze starts new life in Jamaica

An existing floating storage and regasification unit chartered in by Miami-based New Fortress Energy Corp has arrived in Jamaica to kick off a second LNG import project for the island.

The Golar Freeze (built 1977), which is this week shown as anchored alongside a second Golar vessel working to ship in LNG to the Caribbean island, will be used to supply natural gas to Jamaica Public Service's new Old Harbour power plant, which New Fortress Energy is building.

The gas will also supply the new co-generation 94MW power plant at Jamalco's alumina refinery in Clarendon and other industrial customers.

An online post this week said that the Golar Freeze will act as New Fortress’ “energy hub” in the region.

Long-term business

New Fortress has chartered the FSRU for 15 years. It is expected to be based in the Portland Bight area to the south-east of Kingston and remain on station for the entire contract period.

The Golar Freeze was previously based in Dubai, where it had been lying idle after being sidelined by charterer the Dubai Supply Authority for a younger unit.

It is one of the first generation of FSRUs, which now rank as small and low capacity compared to modern newbuildings, and can provide useful solutions for small-scale importers looking for quick start-up, low-cost options.

Are FSRU conversions on the comeback trail?

New Fortress is already active in Jamaica.

In 2016, the company put the 140,650-cbm LNG carrier Golar Arctic (built 2005) into operation in Montego Bay, after taking the vessel on a two-year charter.

The ship has been berthed alongside an existing jetty at Bogue in Montego Bay, where it has been serving as a floating storage unit receiving cargoes from visiting vessels.

Small-scale LNG carriers controlled by Dutch shipowner Anthony Veder have been deployed to shuttle cargoes ashore from the FSU.

FSRU Golar Freeze starts new life in Jamaica

FSRU Golar Freeze starts new life in Jamaica

An existing floating storage and regasification unit chartered in by Miami-based New Fortress Energy Corp has arrived in Jamaica to kick off a second LNG import project for the island.

The Golar Freeze (built 1977), which is this week shown as anchored alongside a second Golar vessel working to ship in LNG to the Caribbean island, will be used to supply natural gas to Jamaica Public Service's new Old Harbour power plant, which New Fortress Energy is building.

The gas will also supply the new co-generation 94MW power plant at Jamalco's alumina refinery in Clarendon and other industrial customers.

An online post this week said that the Golar Freeze will act as New Fortress’ “energy hub” in the region.

Long-term business

New Fortress has chartered the FSRU for 15 years. It is expected to be based in the Portland Bight area to the south-east of Kingston and remain on station for the entire contract period.

The Golar Freeze was previously based in Dubai, where it had been lying idle after being sidelined by charterer the Dubai Supply Authority for a younger unit.

It is one of the first generation of FSRUs, which now rank as small and low capacity compared to modern newbuildings, and can provide useful solutions for small-scale importers looking for quick start-up, low-cost options.

Are FSRU conversions on the comeback trail?

New Fortress is already active in Jamaica.

In 2016, the company put the 140,650-cbm LNG carrier Golar Arctic (built 2005) into operation in Montego Bay, after taking the vessel on a two-year charter.

The ship has been berthed alongside an existing jetty at Bogue in Montego Bay, where it has been serving as a floating storage unit receiving cargoes from visiting vessels.

Small-scale LNG carriers controlled by Dutch shipowner Anthony Veder have been deployed to shuttle cargoes ashore from the FSU.

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